Editor’s note: The idea of eating dogs and cats is disturbing to those of us who see them as companion animals. This story and its photos, though the images are not graphic, may upset you, but we believe that putting an end to the cruel dog and cat meat trade is an important cause to write about and support.

Want to make sure your animal welfare message is heard far and wide and loud and clear? Then harness the power of numbers by rallying animal lovers throughout the world. SayNoToDogMeat.Net will be doing just that when it holds its first Global March for Dogs and Cats in the Pet Meat Trade on Saturday, April 4, in more than 25 countries.

The objective of this peaceful international demonstration? To bring increased attention to the cruel cat and dog meat trade that thrives across Asia and Africa while pressuring governments to end it.

A cat awaits his fate in a meat cage in China.

“Many dog and cat lovers have no idea that this gruesome business exists or that it often victimizes stolen house pets,” says Michele Brown, co-founder and director of SNTDM.Net. “That’s why we are standing together on April 4 across the globe, to alert complicit governments that more and more people around the world are opening their eyes to what is happening to companion animals in their countries and [that] they want it stopped, once and for all!”

On the morning of the event, groups in each location will meet at an assigned gathering place at 10 a.m. in their time zone and begin walking together in a peaceful and orderly way to a pre-determined destination. Participants are encouraged to carry posters, banners, and leaflets, as well as to bring friends, family, and leashed pets. People are also welcome to represent any animal welfare and rescue organizations they are affiliated with by wearing T-shirts and printing logos on demonstration materials. Free graphics for SayNoToDogMeat.Net Global March leaflets, posters, and banners are available for download.

“Shutting down the dog and cat meat trade is not about interfering with anyone’s cultural tradition; it is about stopping cruelty in countries that have abundant food supplies and food choices, yet choose to inflict deliberate cruelty on companion animals because people falsely believe that dog and cat meat provides sexual and medical benefits,” says Brown. “This is simply not true, yet greedy butchers, vendors, and restaurant owners continue to spread these lies, and as a result, dogs and cats continue to suffer.”

Cats huddle together in a meat cage.

Some estimates say that approximately 1.7 million cats are slaughtered each year in the pet meat trade throughout Asia and Africa. In Asian countries, including China and South Korea, a common belief is that cat meat soup cures ailments such as arthritis and wards off bad luck.

According to Dr. Jose Depre, SNTDM.Net co-founder, besides stopping animal cruelty, there are other urgent reasons for stopping this dark, violent trade.

“The purpose of our global demonstration is not just to highlight the abuse of pets and bushmeat animals within the meat trades, but to also educate the public on the dangers of diseases and viruses that are found within pet and bushmeat animals,” says Depre. “Nearly 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases in humans comes from animals, mostly wildlife, yet the majority of the public within the modern and developing worlds are unaware of this. Traders that continue such unregulated and pathogenic trades place human and animal security at risk. They must stop sooner rather than later before new mutations of deadly viruses emerge.”

Whether to create a safer, more compassionate world for companion animals or to prevent human health disasters, stopping the grisly dog and cat meat trade is an important cause worthy of worldwide attention and effort, says Brown.

“We sincerely hope more dog and cat lovers will accept our invitation to march with us, to bear witness, to raise awareness, and to help end the violent worldwide pet meat trade,” says Brown. “It will be an important day that will be supported by many people around the globe, all of us united in the hope of a better, kinder future for companion animals.”

About the author: Lisa Plummer Savas is a freelance writer, journalist, devoted dog mom, and animal activist. In an effort to help make the world a more compassionate place for non-human species, she is especially focused on using her writing to spread awareness about controversial animal welfare issues, including the dog and cat meat trade in Asia and Africa. She lives in Atlanta with two spoiled German Shepherds, one very entitled Pug, and a very patient, understanding husband. Read more of her work.